Assistant Code Compliance Officer

Description

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

As part of the Community Development team, reporting to the Code Enforcement Officer, this position will provide regulatory support to the City by interpreting and enforcing the City's zoning, property maintenance, subdivision, general offense, business regulations, streets, forestry, drainage and sanitation codes, and parts of the traffic and building codes; will ensure all property and structures within the City meet maintenance and public health standards; will provide direct support to the Planning and Building Divisions as well as provide outstanding customer service for the Community Development Department at the permit intake counter, on the phone, via email and in person. Strong organizational, interpersonal, writing, oral communication and mediation skills are all core competencies. Patience and perseverance are necessary personality traits to succeed in this position. An effective Assistant Code Compliance Officer must be highly motivated and take pride in their work. Planning and zoning, legal, construction, public health and law enforcement backgrounds are also desirable, since many of the issues involve collaboration between multiple City departments.

The City of Upper Arlington is an equal opportunity employer, striving to foster an equitable and inclusive work environment.

Examples of Duties

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: For purposes of 42USC 12101:

Conducts on-site investigations of premises; gathers evidence, takes photographs, speaks to and interviews residents and neighbors; compares facts to code requirements and makes a finding of violation; determines code violation and all applicable code section(s); records findings on complaint record; determines how to proceed, including, issuing a warning detailing violation, applicable codes, corrective action necessary and establishes a compliance deadline;

Coordinates, implements and administers code enforcement activities relating to all areas of zoning, nuisances, land use, noise, trash and litter, yard care, rodents and wild animals, hours of work, property maintenance, drainage and other code-related matters;

Receives, researches and responds to complaints, questions and inquiries from property owners, residents, contractors, developers, Council, Board and Commission members, and other City department staff, in person, by mail, email and over the phone;

Documents complaints or inquiry and researches information relating to history, applicable codes, and other relevant issues using the software platform provided;

Monitors compliance efforts and conducts follow-up inspections; monitors compliance with and pursues violations of conditions of approval imposed by the Board of Zoning and Planning, monitors compliance with sentences imposed by Mayor's Court and County Municipal Court relative to code compliant cases;

Provides on-site consultation to property owners, residents, developers, and contractors to analyze situations and answer questions relating to code requirements;

Interprets public requests; assists and directs property owners, residents and the general public with engineering maps, pat maps, base maps and tax maps;

Writes and issues professional reports, letters, memos and graphics;

Determines when a citation should be issued related to environmental matters, issues misdemeanor citation and files with the County Clerk of Court, reviews and prepares code compliance cases for trial;

Prepares detailed reports of activities and investigations conducted;

Consults and collaborates with the City Attorney before, during and after arraignment and trial;

Assists in obtaining, enhancing, preparing and presenting exhibits and other evidence for court;

Provides testimony in court as required;

Provides staff support to the Board of Zoning and Planning, City Council and the Community Improvement Corporation;

Performs occasional late-night or early morning (pre-dawn) inspections; and

Provides friendly and efficient customer service at the front counter.

OTHER DUTIES & RESONSIBILITIES:

Prepares and distributes a variety of correspondence including: memoranda, notices, flyers, media releases, reports and presentations for the dissemination of code information;

Researches laws/regulations in other communities and throughout the state; drafts new legislation and prepares amendments to the City's Codified Ordinances as directed; and

Performs other related duties as assigned. (5%)

Typical Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university in Public Administration, City and Regional Planning, Law Enforcement, Construction or a related field; and two years of progressively responsible related experience; or any combination of education, training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

LICENSURE OR CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

International Code Council (ICC) Zoning Inspector Certification or equivalent (within 12 months of employment unless authorized by the Director); International Code Council (ICC) Property Maintenance and Housing Inspector Certification or equivalent (within 12 months of employment unless authorized by the Director); Valid State Driver's License and the ability to maintain insurability under the City’s vehicle insurance policy.

Supplemental Information

MATERIAL AND EQUIPMENT USED:

Standard business office equipment, Light Meter, Noise Meter, Motor Vehicle, Digital Camera, Measuring Devices, permit/complaint processing software such as OpenGov.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: (* indicates developed after employment).

Knowledge of:

*Applicable laws, regulations, City policies, procedures, and requirements including Ohio Ethics law and Public Records law;

Best practices in diversity, equity and inclusion practices, strategies, systems, and policies as it relates to area of work;

Safety standards;

Code enforcement principles, practices and methods as applicable to a municipal setting;

Legal and evidentiary procedures;

Recordkeeping, report preparation, filing methods and records management techniques

Inspection techniques;

Methods and techniques of research, statistical analysis and report presentation; and

*Local geographic area.

Skill in:

Proficient use of applicable technology and software;

Using tact, discretion, initiative and independent judgment within established guidelines;

Organizing work, setting priorities, meeting deadlines, and following up on assignments with a minimum of direction;

Applying logical thinking to solve problems or accomplish tasks; to understand, interpret and communicate complicated policies, procedures and protocols;

Communicating clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing;

Conflict resolution, de-escalation and mediation techniques; and

Preparing clear and concise reports, correspondence and other written materials.

Ability to:

Read, analyze and interpret professional periodicals and journals, technical procedures and government regulations;

Deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations;

Deal effectively with stressful situation and difficult or angry people;

Define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusion;

Demonstrated awareness of and an ability to effectively use communication that overcomes socio-cultural and lingual barriers, to be aware of verbal and nonverbal forms of communication, and listen and adapt approach to fit audience;

Effectively use and understand a variety of written and/or verbal communications;

Provide high level of customer service to both internal and external customers;

Handle situations in a manner that is sensitive to inclusivity and cultural dynamics;

Establish and maintain effective working relationships; and

Handle protracted investigations and/or cases.

INHERENTLY HAZARDOUS OR PHYSICALLY DEMANDING WORKING CONDITIONS:

The employee has exposure to chemical compounds found in an office environment (e.g., toner, correction fluid, etc.); is exposed to possible injury from unclean or unsanitary conditions; may work with emotionally distraught people; works with moving mechanical parts of equipment of machines; occasionally lifts, pushes, pulls, or carries objects 25 lbs. or less.

Note: In accordance with the U.S. Department of Labor physical demands strength ratings, this is considered light work.

This class specification should not be interpreted as all inclusive. It is intended to identify the essential functions and requirements of this job. Incumbents may be requested to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this specification. Any essential function or requirement of this class will be evaluated as necessary should an incumbent/applicant be unable to perform the function or requirement due to a disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Reasonable accommodation for the specific disability will be made for the incumbent/applicant when possible.

CITY VALUES:

Incumbent must model the following established city values: Teamwork/Collaboration, Integrity, Service, Leadership, Communication, Growth, Professionalism and Ethics.